What the F&@! is Wrong with Soriano?

by gondeee on Aug 8, 2007 11:33 PM EDT in Game Recaps

How many leads/wins must Soriano give up? The guy still has stellar stuff. He's still throwing in the mid to upper 90's, but he keeps leaving pitches out and over the plate that are absolutely killing him and the team. He was dominant back in May, but ever since then he's been hittable and Kolbable.

Month: ERA
May: 0.77
June: 4.22
July: 4.28
August: 7.36 (before tonight)

The frustrating thing is that he's still striking people out, and he still has his stuff together, he's just leaving it up and it is hittable - and getting hit. Is it fatigue? Well, it's been going on since June in some fashion, so it's probably not fatigue, though that could be part of it. I think it's a lack of concentration. Perhaps it's a lack of being "the closer" - the guy who is gets the final out. But Soriano pitched well for 10 or so outings after Wickman returned to the closers role back in May. But there is no doubt that Soriano has been at his best this year when he's been "the man" at the end of games.

In July he blew three saves and lost two other games in which he entered into a tie game. Tonight's game was his first loss this month, but he has given up multiple runs in key situations repeatedly over the last several weeks.

To hit on it again, his stuff is still there. He can still throw it by people, it seems, at times. But other times he serves it right up for batters to square off and jack it out of the park. He has given up (and the stat pages have not caught up tonight) 10 homeruns - as many as Scott Linebrink (another good non-trade in retrospect). That's one homerun off the lead for relievers in the National League. This is a guy who we got to be virtually unhittable and he has been anything but unhittable.

This is one of those instances where the team, the GM does what it is supposed to do, but the player does not perform as expected. My fear is that this is another "Kenny Lofton situation." That for whatever reason the guy who has performed excellently in the past seems to wither and under-perform for the Braves. It's frustrating... damn frustrating.

I have lost all confidence in Soriano to get outs and keep the game close in any situation. Furthermore, Dotel seems to be going down the same road. Can we call it Devine-itis? We need to change the players in the late innings for the Braves bullpen. The go-to guy in the eighth inning to keep the game close should be Peter Moylan - he has demonstrated the ability to keep the ball in the park and keep inherited runners from scoring.

Damn frustrating loss to say the least. Gosh. And how worthless is Andruw Jones in key situations. I would have preferred a strikeout and to see Yunel Escobar get an at-bat in the ninth - how pitiful is that, Andruw!

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Batting 7th is not enough.....

I love Andruw Jones, always have and always will, but something has got to be done. Obviously Andruw is still a great defender, but he has been the black hole in our offense all season.....I kept thinking like everyone else, "he'll break out, he has too", but if he hasn't broken out by now I don't think he will. We have played 2/3 of a season and he is batting .215, it's time to face the fact that he is just a pitiful hitter. Sure Andruw probably saves a run or two a week with his great defense, but how many runs does he cost us a week with his bat??? Our lineup is awesome up and down the line, except for Andruw "black hole" Jones. We could have had Pete Orr batting in Andruw's place all year and he would have 150 RBI's with the way the top of the lineup has gotten on base. Batting Andruw 7th was long over due on Bobby's part, but I think he needs to take it further. I would almost bat him ninth and have our pitcher's hit in the 8 hole, better yet I would just move Willie to Center and have Matty play left. This way our whole lineup would consist of .300 batting averages (save Heap and Scooter who is hovering around it). Then late in games we could sub him for Matty so that we have better defense when we are ahead.

Also, putting Andruw in for defense late in the game will help because this way we have a better chance of robbing one of Soriano's Homerun's (that is if he can keep them at around 400ft, because he doesn't just gives up homers, he gives up bombs).

I agree with Gondee about Peter Moylan being the set up man, it is just hard to use him in that role because he has been so good at getting us out of early inning jams with double plays, not to mention pitching more than one inning on numerous occasions. This is key for us because if we weren't using him in these situations there wouldn't even be a chance for Soriano to give up a go ahead homer.

Anyways, I've rambled enough, I'm going to go throw up now and hope Huddy picks us up tomorrow.

by whunt13 on Aug 9, 2007 12:37 AM EDT 0 recs

I hate andruw as much as you love him . . .

Once, I wish andruw would prove me wrong just f@#$ing once! I swear to God if I was the manager Diaz would have pinch hit and if AJ didn't like to bad. That loss plus a 4.5 earthquake made it a great night!!!!

by los angeles braves fan on Aug 9, 2007 10:02 AM EDT up 0 recs

Gondeee

What the Fuck is wrong with Andruw and the Rest of this team!!! Can you look up where this team ranks among the WORST in getting guys in from 2nd base with LESS than 2 outs! I would REALLY appreciate that! It seems like we loose these games on a REGULAR bases!!!

braves#1

by rockybull on Aug 9, 2007 12:47 AM EDT 0 recs

My Bad Gondeee

I did not know the F word would have showed up on here! My bad everybody that is offended!!! I thought it would be bleeped out!!!

braves#1

by rockybull on Aug 9, 2007 12:48 AM EDT 0 recs

haha

I was more offended by the awful grammar. Zing!

by RehabReject on Aug 9, 2007 1:10 AM EDT up 0 recs

speaking of offended

did anyone else watch the pre-game show (does anyone but me watch those things)? Jerome what's his face told Our Katy Temple that he wanted to see her lean back like Diaz!!! It was totally offensive -- I hope she kicks him in the balls when she gets back to ATL.

by Velcro Vernacular on Aug 9, 2007 9:04 AM EDT up 0 recs

Lean Back

I was initially offended, but then the stupid girl ACTUALLY DID IT. Someone needs to take Our Katy Temple aside and tell her that you don't always have to do what men ask you to do. ;)

by Lauren T. on Aug 9, 2007 9:18 AM EDT up 0 recs

oh man

I thought she was laughing. I guess she didn't think it was a big deal, but I thought it was tacky of him to say.

by Velcro Vernacular on Aug 9, 2007 9:35 AM EDT up 0 recs

Yeah

She was laughing at first, and then she intentionally leaned way back, in her best Diaz imitation. Not that I've never done it, say, playing Home Run Derby out at my parents' place (I do a good Julio, too -- heh), but on TV? No.

by Lauren T. on Aug 9, 2007 9:41 AM EDT up 0 recs

Moylan

should definitely be the new set-up guy. I trust his stuff way more than Soriano right now. Man am I missing Mike Gonzalez.

bravescorner.blogspot.com

by nickfeely8 on Aug 9, 2007 12:55 AM EDT 0 recs

Soriano

"Perhaps it's a lack of being "the closer" - the guy who is gets the final out."

He has a funny way of showing that he wants that role...

I agree with what most of what has been said here, but I want to chime in with what I think will happen...

Andruw will not sit in favor of Willie for more than a couple starts. Ever. Batting him in the seventh hole might have sticking power. Its a decent place to put him with Francoeur and McCann driving home the runs so Andruw can get get out with no one on base or hit his solo home runs in peace.

I'm thinking Moylan won't pitch the 8th. I'm of the school of thought that we need to sit Soriano for at least a series. Give him a break. Clear his mind. Sacrifice a bucket of KFC to Jobu. Anything. Let Dotel have the 8th inning role and see how he does for that series. If he sucks as much as he's been doing, give it back to Soriano and just hope we have a 5 run lead every game.

Could Soriano/Wickman be a Roger McDowell thing? The bullpen has been just short of pathetic under his tutelage...can this really be his fault? I personally haven't heard any yeas or nays about his ability as a coach, but from what I've seen, besides Carlyle, he's done nothing positive that I can think of.

by Something Profound on Aug 9, 2007 2:41 AM EDT 0 recs

It wasn't Soriano's fault

He threw it at his chin and Alou just wrapped around it to knock it out. It's my fault though! I was thinking of it. Blame Andruw.

http://blabberinbraves.blogspot.com/

by Chipper on Aug 9, 2007 6:23 AM EDT 0 recs

Boog made a good point...

and alou might've revealed it, with his grateful little point and fist towards the mets dugout, post-jack.

soriano's tipping his pitches. some way, some how, he's gotta be tipping his pitches. there's little explanation to why a guy like soriano, who essentially a fastball-changeup, with a mediocre slider can dominate so much, pre-all star break, and then become such an unreliable, macay mcbride-type after it. either that, or he's just figured out that the NL is indeed superior, and that the intelligence of its players have figured out his AL style.

one way or the other, i wouldn't be surprised if soriano is suddenly placed on the DL for sucking, like wicky was back after the florida/colorado debacles.

agreeance with moylan being a set-up man - but like last year's ken ray, this defined role might blow up in our faces. so everyone, shhhhh, let moylan continue to eat up effective innings, and keep our mouths shut.

and somebody PLEASE retire/burn/deactivate #49. mcbride wore that number, sucked, ledezma wore that number, sucked, and now ron mahay has blown his first save for the braves wearing #49. does anyone else not see this?

man, i'm really missing mike gonzalez right about now.

by royhobbs on Aug 9, 2007 7:53 AM EDT 0 recs

Bullpen

Part of me is wishing Moylan could pitch all the time. Why not give Villareal another shot at starting and make Moylan the long-innings man? Or let him regularly be the 8th or 9th inning guy? He's hot right now, and since #49 (whoever's wearing that number now) is sucking, Wickman scares me, and Sori can't hide his pitches very well, I say, Moylan for everything!

(Okay, I know that's not logical. But he is doing a fantastic job.)

RE: Sori tipping his pitches...When Maddux was a Brave, he used to call his own game; that's why Javy couldn't catch him. He had these little motions that told the catcher what pitch was coming. Sori is no Maddux, and I think Boog is right -- he must be a little too obvious about what he's going to throw next. I'll have to watch for this.

There are times when Bobby's loyalty to his players is a good thing (McCann's long contract), but sometimes, I just want to ask him why he keeps giving guys like Andruw and Wickman chance after chance. I'm not saying we should give up on them; I just think Andruw needs to hit in the 7-hole until his BA gets over .240, and I think Wicky needs to go to fat camp. He looks like he's going to have a heart attack on the mound, and his stuff isn't as good as it was last year. A leaner, meaner Wickman has to be better than a red-faced, Weeble-shaped one.

by Lauren T. on Aug 9, 2007 8:34 AM EDT 0 recs

Well..

..look at guys like Reitsma last year. Even though he was a black hole of suck, Bobby kept running him out there until finally even Bobby couldn't take it any more.

Two Teams, Two Coasts - One Obsession

by Rain Delay on Aug 9, 2007 12:08 PM EDT up 0 recs

Worried...

...about my blood pressure after that disgusting game. If we lose today, I might as well go straight to the ER.

Please Huddy, shut 'em down!

by SpeedTriple on Aug 9, 2007 8:58 AM EDT 0 recs

My Bullpen:

Closer - Oscar Villareal: Though limited in his opportunities, Villareal has been one of our best relief arms in Close and Late situations all year long. He also has a high K rate and keeps the ball in the yard.
Pre-Closer - Peter Moylan: the "Pre-Closer" is the pitcher that steps into high leverage relief situations regardless of inning. I believe that the best RP should fill this role and that has been Moylan.
Set-up - Rafael Soriano and Tyler Yates: While they have struggled as of late, both of these guys are better Close and Late than otherwise. They also have good K rates and might be worth a look in the official closer's role for added comfort.
Middle Relief - Bob Wickman and Jose Ascanio: Wickman has been particularly terrible Close and Late, but has very good numbers since the break and should be used in less critical circumstances. Ascanio has dominated in the minors and shown flashes of brilliance at the ML-level this year as well.
To Early to Tell - Octavio Dotel and Ron Mahay: it's easy to turn on these two guys before they fall in, especially with how well Tex has done, but we should use them in different roles until we determine what their's will be in ATL.

Come check out my blog 52 Card Pick-up and let me know what you think!

by ejruiz on Aug 9, 2007 4:36 PM EDT 0 recs

Has anyone thought of...

...maybe trying Yates as a starter? Not sure if he's even been in a rotation before, or whether or not his arm could handle it, but his stuff can be electric at times. Could be a nice Fausto Carmona for us.

by Smoltzs Beard on Aug 9, 2007 5:55 PM EDT up 0 recs

Stick to the pen

He gives up enough Meatballs as it is!

http://blabberinbraves.blogspot.com/

by Chipper on Aug 9, 2007 8:10 PM EDT up 0 recs

My point is...

...a change of scenery could do him good. It certainly did with Fausto. First line is from last year which included the abysmal attempt as closer for the Indians (pretty sure he blew 5 straight saves and lost the job). The second line is how he's pitched this season in the rotation.

W L IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP BAA
1 10 74.2 88 46 45 9 31 58 5.42 1.59 .298
13 6 144.2 141 54 51 11 42 87 3.17 1.26 .258

by Smoltzs Beard on Aug 10, 2007 12:11 AM EDT up 0 recs